Category Archives: animal & pets

animal & pets, Dog Anxiety

The Best Fix For Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety Problems

Separation anxiety in dogs is something that unfortunately, many pet parents have to deal with. As frustrating as it may be, this is something that you can fix by using the right tips and tricks. The name of the game is consistency. It may seem as if your dog’s anxiety problems will never go away, but it will once you try these simple solutions.

During this phase of the pandemic, I know a lot of people are either dealing with separation anxiety with their dogs or they may experience it when they go back out to work.

Currently, many people are working from their home, so their pets are used to seeing them every day, which is nice. However, eventually when things return back to normal, this sudden change can bring on new symptoms in your dog.

You may notice that your dog is having some behavioral issues such as chewing on furniture while you’re away, digging, destroying other areas of the house, urinating or defecating around the house even though he is housebroken, among other odd behaviors. You may even hear your darling pet howling as you’re about to leave the house. That can be very heart-wrenching for any pet owner to hear.

What can you do to fix your dog’s separation anxiety issues? Well, there are a few things you can try, if you are up to the challenge. You have to be ready to be consistent with whatever you choose to do.

To help get rid of your dog’s separation anxiety, you should try to take short outside trips away from your dog. You can start with leaving your dog alone in the house for at least 10-15 minutes, then come back. The next time you leave, you can increase the time spent away from your pet. Continue to do so while adding more time until you reach the timeframe of your choice.

Why not have some fun while doing this separation activity by setting up a video camera to capture your pet’s reaction to you leaving. This also gives you an opportunity to learn a little more about your pet’s anxiety behavior.

Give your dog something stimulating to do when you are away from the house. Stimulating activities can help to get rid of boredom in dogs and keep them busy while you’re away from the house. Make a game out of it by hiding snacks in certain areas of the house for your dog to hunt for.

Another great way to cure your dog’s separation anxiety is to keep your pet active. Do fun activities with him whether it’s taking a long walk or playing an outdoor game before you leave him. He may just take a nice relaxing nap and won’t even realize that you were gone so long.

Create a fun environment for your dog. Choose a specific room in the house and decorate it with fun dog decorations. Make this room as comfy and cozy as you can for your furry friend. You can also try playing relaxing pet music to relieve your dog’s anxiety.

Be aware that it may take a while for you to find the right trick that work for you. When you do find that method, stick to it and you will see great results. Avoid showing your frustration around your dog, as they are sensitive animals and can pick up on negative energy.

animal & pets

Top 10 Low-Shedding Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

Believe it or not, allergies to pets is quite a common problem. Although dogs are so cute and cuddly, not everyone has a great allergy-free experience when they are around their pets. Having a low-shedding dog may not completely solve the issue, however, it can make a big difference. Choosing the best low-shedding dog for a pet, will benefit both you and your furry friend in the long run.

Just like with any major decisions you’re making in your life, choosing the right dog for a pet, needs thorough research. Randomly choosing the first dog you see as a pet, may ruin your first-time pet experience. Dogs are smart animals and can sense if their owners are miserable or not happy around them.

Although pet fur is not the only thing that may trigger an allergic reaction, getting a low-shedding dog, otherwise called hypoallergenic, may help reduce allergy symptoms. According to reputable sources, pet allergies runs deeper than just getting a low-shedding dog. Allergens from pet dander, saliva, or the protein from pet urine, may also be the culprit.

The top-10 dog hypoallergenic dog breeds are:

  • Bearded Collie
  • Bedlington Terrier
  • American Hairless Terrier
  • Giant Schnauzer
  • Miniature Schnauzer
  • Border Terrier
  • Spanish Water Dog
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Cesky Terrier
  • American Hairless Terrier

What Are the Symptoms of Pet Allergies?

You many not realize that you are experiencing pet allergies, especially if this is your first dog. The most common signs of pet allergy are: watery eyes, itchy nose, sneezing, rash, or coughing. Other symptoms may occur depending on how sensitive your immune system is.

Some people may quickly realize that something is not right, as pet allergy symptoms may appear as early as 30 minutes from when they were exposed to the allergens. Others may not realize it until a few more hours.

Ways to Get Rid of Pet Allergies

If you bring home a low-shedding dog and still notice pet allergy symptoms, there are some things that you can do to relieve your pet allergies. To prevent triggers, there are some things that you can do to reduce the severity of your allergy symptoms.

If you think you are allergic to your pet, try some of these steps to help manage your symptoms:

  • Vacuum often, making sure to use a HEPA filter.
  • Bathe your dog on a weekly basis. This will help to get rid of the pet dander or saliva that is attached to their fur.
  • Keep your pet off furniture or out of your room. If there is a specific furniture that your pet loves to cuddle in, use a throw and wash it often.
  • Choose a HEPA air filter in your air conditioner.

 

 

animal & pets, Pet health

Dog Years: How to Tell When Your Dog is Aging

Some dogs age faster than others. This all depends on the size and breed of your dog. Typically, larger breeds of dogs age faster (around 7 years), while smaller dogs age slower. Whether your dog is big or small, they will eventually age and may start showing signs of old-age. It is a good idea to know what to look for when this time rolls around, so that you can take the best care of your beloved pet.

No one knows your dog more than you, so if you notice a few different changes in your dog, especially if they are older, this can mean that he is showing age-related symptoms. The quicker you identify these symptoms, the more promptly you can address them and cater to your pet’s needs.

Your Aging Dog May Not Be Ignoring You

You may notice that your dog does not come to you when you call him like he used to do. Last week everything seemed okay, but now your dog isn’t even looking in your direction when you say his name. Sadly, this is one of the many signs of aging in older dogs. Hearing loss may start to progress slowly, eventually leading to hearing loss in dogs.

What to Do For Hearing Loss in Aging Dogs

If you notice that your dog is not hearing you like he used to in the past, after making sure that there is no fixable issues, this is the time to start teaching your dog sign language. Hand signal training can help you to continue communicating with your older pet more easily.

Vision Loss in Older Dogs

Hearing and sight goes together, so as your dog gets older, you may also notice that he is not seeing as clearly as before. Your dog may develop cataracts or other types of vision loss. One way to tell if your pet is not seeing clearly, is if they are bumping into things frequently or when you are feeding them, they don’t seem to see the feeding bowl that’s right in front of them.

Older Dogs and Memory Loss

Just as humans, dogs can also experience foggy memory or memory loss as they get older. For example, if your dog is trained to follow commands such as stay or fetch or other house rules, then suddenly he doesn’t respond to these commands, he may be experiencing memory loss.

Older Dogs Forgetting Potty Training Rules

You may also notice that although your dog is potty trained, he is frequently having accidents. Incontinence in dogs as they get older is also a common symptom. It is best to check with your vet to get an evaluation and treatment if necessary. Early intervention can prevent further issues or detect urinary tract infections.

Keeping Your Senior Age Dog Warm 

Senior dogs may need more warmth as they progress in age. Keeping them warm is not only comfy but also helps to alleviate arthritis pain. Make sure that you give your dog a warm cozy bed to help regulate his body temperature.

Heating pads are also great to help keep your aging dog warm, especially in the cold winter months. Get one that has an auto shut off feature that you can set for a certain amount of time. A good pet heating pad also has a temperature sensor to prevent overheating.

You are your dog’s keeper and he depends on you to be there for him in his golden years. Aging dogs can be just as fun as younger dogs. You just have to know how to adjust to accommodate the little hiccups that comes with aging.